Athletes can incur acute cervical spine injuries in a number of different ways. Contact sports such as football, rugby, boxing and hockey provide the greatest risk of a cervical spine injury. According to Medline Plus, most spinal cord trauma happens to young, healthy men between the ages of 15 and 35. Cervical spine injuries may damage the spinal cord itself, or the surrounding bones, tissues or blood vessels. Always use proper techniques and wear protective gear to prevent these common cervical spine injuries.
Burners and Stingers
Burners and stingers are common acute cervical spine injuries seen in athletes. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) reports that 70 percent of college football players experience this injury during their four-year career. These injuries cause a burning or stinging sensation to radiate from the neck to the hands after a high-force collision in contact sports. This occurs because the neck is suddenly stretched, which can cause a stretch in the nerves that exit the cervical spine and form the group of nerves that run to the upper limbs. Fortunately, this injury usually resolves after a few minutes; however, weakness and neck pain may last for several days. See your doctor if your symptoms have not resolved, because you may need therapy to aid in your recovery.
Cervical Sprain
A cervical sprain is a common acute cervical spine injury seen in athletes. The vertebrae (spinal bones) in your neck are connected to each other by fibrous bands of tissue called ligaments. A sudden movement or jolt of force to your head can cause these ligaments to stretch or tear.
According to the AAOS, a cervical sprain can result in pain in the back of the neck, muscle spasms, headache, sore throat, irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, numbness in your arm or hand, neck stiffness or tingling and weakness in the arms. Your doctor will likely take an X-ray to make sure there is no fracture. Fortunately, conservative treatments are effective in treating a cervical sprain. The AAOS further states that most sprains will heal in four to six weeks.
Cervical Fracture
Athletes are also at risk for cervical fractures. According to the AAOS, these commonly occur if a football player "spears" an opponent, a hockey player is struck from behind and rammed into the boards, a gymnast misses the high bar and falls or if a diver strikes the bottom of a shallow pool. A cervical fracture can cause a vertebra to tear the spinal cord and result in paralysis or death. The closer the fracture is to the head, the higher the risk will be for death. In the unfortunate event of a cervical fracture, the neck of the athlete should be immediately immobilized and 911 promptly called. An MRI or CT will be performed in the hospital to assess the extent of cervical damage. Treatment will depend on the extent of the cervical injury and can range from treatment with a cervical brace to surgery.
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